The history of wine in Spain
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by: AidanHarbinson
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Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 Time: 5:36 PM
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The history of wine in Spain
In Spain, as in the rest of Europe, the Romans introduced the growing of vines and wine production. However, there are some signs of previous wine producers, before the Roman Conquerors. Between 218 and 219 B.C. the Phoenicians founded Gadir and then Xera (Jerez)
where they started cultivating vineyards. The warm climate was perfect to produce strong, sweet wines. The Phoenician's commercial nature made the Spanish wines one of the most frequently exchanged goods between the Mediterranean regions and the North of Africa.
The Arabs continued to develop wine-growing and production, as they occupied most of the country until the XII Century. After the Reconquest by the Catholics, Spain became a powerful country that contributed to the expansion of wine culture supported by Columbusand other great
Conquerors on their voyages.
The modern history of Spanish wine began in the late e XIX Century in La Rioja, the most famous wine producing region in the country. During the XX Century, industrialisation affected wine quality in a negative way. Wine production was then under the control of a few "huge co-operatives" which considered quantity more important than quality. In the 1960's, some producers returned to the idea of quality and began to receive international support.
The History of Wine in Castilla-La Mancha
Wine culture is deeply rooted in Castilla-La Mancha. Five provinces comprise this region: Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Toledo y Guadalajara and in all, wine is part of their culture, history, festive seasons, literature, religious ceremonies, etc. During Moorish occupation, although the Islamic religion does not allow alcoholic drinks, they were quite flexible and supported the commerce and production processes, even
though they only used it for medical purposes.
Castilla-La Mancha produced some of the most celebrated wines in Spain in the past and was the official wine supplier to the Monarchy. Authors of the Spanish Golden Century (XVI) such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Tirso de Molina all praised the Mancha wines in their books.
During the 1940's and 1950's in the XX Century the co-operative system affected the production in Castilla-La Mancha as in the rest of Spain. Nowadays that trend has reversed and many prestigious wineries are settled in La Mancha - all with the combined aim of returning to the ancient quality criteria which once placed their wines amongst the most renowned in Spain.
Finca los Pandos
Los Pandos is located in Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha) and covers 830 Hectares of which the 25 year old vineyard covers 80 Hectares. Almansa has got a privileged and strategic geographical location which has helped the city to develop an excellent communications infrastructure.
The climate conditions are perfect for the vineyard growing, especially in Los Pandos due to the ideal features of the land for agriculture. According to Mr. Robert Parker's opinion, Los Pandos is part of one of the most promising areas in the Spanish wine-growing regions - "Until 25 years ago there were only a few good wines apart from La Rioja, however, Spain is nowadays an explosion of creativity and innovation that reflects in all the wines, from the dry and aromatic white wines from Rias Baixas to the red wines from promising regions such as Toro, Navarra, Ribera de Duero, Priorato, Yecla, Jumilla and Alicante".
Dominio de los Pandosm - The Concept
In the last 150 years the wine production has experienced a complete technological revolution which has contributed to a more efficient vineyard and a higher quality of the wines. However, not everybody agrees with this; in fact, the great producers prefer more authentic and genuine methods. Nicolas Joly, the main adviser for biodynamic wine-growing, said: "the wine-grower must decide whether he wants his bodega to
be a maternity hospital where the grapes give birth to wine rather than a plastic surgery".
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